Tasers

A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Taser is an acronym, named for a fictional weapon: Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle. The Taser fires two small dart-like electrodes, which stay connected to the main unit by conductive wire as they are propelled by small compressed nitrogen charges similar to some air gun or paintball marker propellants. The air cartridge contains a pair of electrodes and propellant. Ok now you know the technical details about the Taser.

Here is what I think about Tasers.

I think the cops are going overboard with the Taser. Initially it was a seldom used device to control unruly and potentially dangerous suspects and felons. Now it seems to be used more and more often for less and less unruly and potentially dangerous behavior. Its kind of like, “I have a taser so I can use a taser whenever I like”.

In 2008 a 66 year old Minister was tasered by hospital security guards in Toledo, Ohio. The minister joked about a security guard’s lack of a smile which resulted in the security guard and four of his cohorts dragging the minister out of the hospital where he was beaten and tasered. Three people have died after being shocked with tasers since deputies throughout the Riverside County, California’s Sheriff's Department began using the so-called less-lethal weapons a year and a half ago. A few people actually catch on fire after being tasered. The Taser Company explains this is very rare. I would suppose the guy who is actually on fire is probably thinking, “no problem, I understand that my sudden combustion is an extremely rare side effect of the tasering process”.

The best story I have read about taser abuse was on September 2, 2009 and concerned a 76 year old man in Glenrock, Wyoming who was tasered while driving his antique tractor in a parade. He apparently wanted to leave the parade route, earlier than the town cops wanted him to leave. This obviously is a serious crime, a 76 year old man driving an antique tractor in a parade. The incident nearly incited a riot as outraged neighbors rushed to his defense. Now residents of this tight-knit town of 2,400 are seething over what they see as police brutality, and town officials are scrambling to ease the tension.

The Taser Company offers the taser gun to anyone. You don’t have to be law enforcement or military personnel. You know it might be a handy tool to have.

The lady in the 10 items or less lane at the supermarket, you taser her when she pulls item number 11 out of her shopping cart.

The guy at McDonald’s forgets to put the knapkin in your sack at the drive thru, yep, shock the hell out of him and watch him fall out of the drive thru window onto the hood of your car

The next door neighbor decides to mow his lawn at 8:00 pm on a Saturday night when you are having a barbeque for your friends, you got it, let him have it.

Like many men, I screw up pretty often around the house. If the Lovely Sharon had a taser, I would be toast, literally.